Skip to main content

Smart speakers predicted to overtake wearables in US market this year

Tech research firm eMarketer is predicting dramatic growth in the US smart speaker market, anticipating that it will overtake wearables like smart watches at some point this year …

Business Insider has seen the report.

According to eMarketer’s latest forecast, the number of US smart speaker users will rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 47.9% between 2016 and 2020, from 16 million to 76.5 million.

eMarketer’s new data shows stronger-than-expected adoption of the device. Uptake has been so strong that the number of adult smart speaker users will surpass that of wearable users for the first time this year.

Smart speakers are still boys’ toys for the most part, an affluent, older, millenial male the typical user. But use by women is growing.

eMarketer says Amazon dominates the market, Echo devices accounting for two-thirds of all US sales. Google Home takes home 29.5%, while Apple’s HomePod is within the 8.3% left for other brands. A recent report did, however, suggest that Google is quickly gaining ground, and actually outsold Echo for the first time in Q1 of this year.


Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more Google & Android news:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel